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![This is what happens to your body when you don't have sex](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_5ab29b383d5c1.jpg)
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See Also
See Again
© iStock
0 / 30 Fotos
Avoiding sex with partner
- 81% of the respondents said they avoided or delayed sex with their partner in the past year.
© iStock
1 / 30 Fotos
Reasons for avoiding sex - 53% said sometimes avoided sex for being too tired to have sex, while 49% said would avoid it for being too sick.
© iStock
2 / 30 Fotos
Disconnect between men and women - 60% of the men in the survey said they thought about sex at least once a day, compared with only 19% of the women.
© iStock
3 / 30 Fotos
Disconnect in opinion - Men are far more likely than women to say that sex is highly important to them: 64% vs. 47%.
© iStock
4 / 30 Fotos
Some of the consequences - All of this leads to some Americans not having the amount of sex that they would like. So what are the consequences?
© iStock
5 / 30 Fotos
Drop in vaginal lubrication - This isn’t a direct consequence of not having sex, but it can lead to anxiety after a long spell, which scares your body into not producing enough moisture.
© iStock
6 / 30 Fotos
Pain - The lack of vaginal moisture can unfortunately make sex painful.
© iStock
7 / 30 Fotos
Erectile dysfunction - There seems to be a link between erectile dysfunction and lack of sex, though researchers don’t agree on which causes which.
© iStock
8 / 30 Fotos
A weakened immune system - Having sex regularly—defined by WebMD as once or twice a week—helps build up antibodies.
© iStock
9 / 30 Fotos
Lower libido - For women, having sex improves vaginal lubrication, blood flow, and elasticity, which makes sex better and increases libido.
© iStock
10 / 30 Fotos
Changes in bladder control - Sex helps women strengthen their pelvic floor muscles, which helps avoid incontinence.
© iStock
11 / 30 Fotos
Affects blood pressure - Researchers have linked sex and lower blood pressure. One study specifically found that sexual intercourse (not masturbation) lowers systolic blood pressure.
© iStock
12 / 30 Fotos
Lower hormone production - Having regular sex helps keep estrogen and testosterone levels in balance, which helps prevent an array of health issues.
© iStock
13 / 30 Fotos
Frustration and self-doubt - If you’re not stopping sex out of choice, you may feel less than confident in other aspects of your life.
© iStock
14 / 30 Fotos
Increased chance of having wet dreams - Your body will try to remind you it wants sex.
© iStock
15 / 30 Fotos
Higher chances of heart attack - A good sex life is good for the heart. One study found that men who have sex at least twice a week are half as likely to die of heart problems.
© iStock
16 / 30 Fotos
Increased chance of prostate cancer - Men who ejaculate frequently—defined by WebMD as at least 21 times a month—were less likely to get prostate cancer.
© iStock
17 / 30 Fotos
Stress may be higher - Having a strong physical connection to your partner soothes stress and anxiety. Also, sex releases endorphins, which regulates hormones.
© iStock
18 / 30 Fotos
Insomnia - Upon orgasming, the body releases a hormone called prolactin, which is responsible for relaxation and sleepiness.
© iStock
19 / 30 Fotos
Memory issues - Sex both helps improves mental performance and helps produce new cells in in the hippocampus, the brain's memory center.
© iStock
20 / 30 Fotos
Lowers chances of UTIs - There are some positives however. Abstaining from sex reduces the chance of developing urinary tract infections because sex pushes bacteria into the tract.
© iStock
21 / 30 Fotos
Weakened vaginal walls - Women 50 and older risk not feeling any pleasure during sex if they don't have intercourse regularly.
© iStock
22 / 30 Fotos
Causes weight gain - Sex helps keep the hormones in check, which helps control weight.
© iStock
23 / 30 Fotos
Disrupts your exercise routine - Hormones released during sex help regulate motivation and also increase pain tolerance.
© iStock
24 / 30 Fotos
It might negatively affect your relationship - Sexual intimacy with a romantic partner improves communication and the overall health of the couple.
© iStock
25 / 30 Fotos
Extra benefits - Besides the negative effects of going without sex, a healthy sex life has some added bonuses that can improve your overall health and well-being. Here are some examples.
© iStock
26 / 30 Fotos
Lessens pain - Orgasms and vaginal stimulation can block chronic back and leg pain. Also many women have reported it reduces menstrual cramps, arthritic pain, and even headaches.
© iStock
27 / 30 Fotos
Counts as exercise - Though it won’t replace the treadmill, sex bumps up your heart rate and uses various muscles. However it doesn’t burn very many calories (only five per minute).
© iStock
28 / 30 Fotos
Makes your periods better - Having sex during a woman's period helps alleviate menstrual cramps.
© iStock
29 / 30 Fotos
© iStock
0 / 30 Fotos
Avoiding sex with partner
- 81% of the respondents said they avoided or delayed sex with their partner in the past year.
© iStock
1 / 30 Fotos
Reasons for avoiding sex - 53% said sometimes avoided sex for being too tired to have sex, while 49% said would avoid it for being too sick.
© iStock
2 / 30 Fotos
Disconnect between men and women - 60% of the men in the survey said they thought about sex at least once a day, compared with only 19% of the women.
© iStock
3 / 30 Fotos
Disconnect in opinion - Men are far more likely than women to say that sex is highly important to them: 64% vs. 47%.
© iStock
4 / 30 Fotos
Some of the consequences - All of this leads to some Americans not having the amount of sex that they would like. So what are the consequences?
© iStock
5 / 30 Fotos
Drop in vaginal lubrication - This isn’t a direct consequence of not having sex, but it can lead to anxiety after a long spell, which scares your body into not producing enough moisture.
© iStock
6 / 30 Fotos
Pain - The lack of vaginal moisture can unfortunately make sex painful.
© iStock
7 / 30 Fotos
Erectile dysfunction - There seems to be a link between erectile dysfunction and lack of sex, though researchers don’t agree on which causes which.
© iStock
8 / 30 Fotos
A weakened immune system - Having sex regularly—defined by WebMD as once or twice a week—helps build up antibodies.
© iStock
9 / 30 Fotos
Lower libido - For women, having sex improves vaginal lubrication, blood flow, and elasticity, which makes sex better and increases libido.
© iStock
10 / 30 Fotos
Changes in bladder control - Sex helps women strengthen their pelvic floor muscles, which helps avoid incontinence.
© iStock
11 / 30 Fotos
Affects blood pressure - Researchers have linked sex and lower blood pressure. One study specifically found that sexual intercourse (not masturbation) lowers systolic blood pressure.
© iStock
12 / 30 Fotos
Lower hormone production - Having regular sex helps keep estrogen and testosterone levels in balance, which helps prevent an array of health issues.
© iStock
13 / 30 Fotos
Frustration and self-doubt - If you’re not stopping sex out of choice, you may feel less than confident in other aspects of your life.
© iStock
14 / 30 Fotos
Increased chance of having wet dreams - Your body will try to remind you it wants sex.
© iStock
15 / 30 Fotos
Higher chances of heart attack - A good sex life is good for the heart. One study found that men who have sex at least twice a week are half as likely to die of heart problems.
© iStock
16 / 30 Fotos
Increased chance of prostate cancer - Men who ejaculate frequently—defined by WebMD as at least 21 times a month—were less likely to get prostate cancer.
© iStock
17 / 30 Fotos
Stress may be higher - Having a strong physical connection to your partner soothes stress and anxiety. Also, sex releases endorphins, which regulates hormones.
© iStock
18 / 30 Fotos
Insomnia - Upon orgasming, the body releases a hormone called prolactin, which is responsible for relaxation and sleepiness.
© iStock
19 / 30 Fotos
Memory issues - Sex both helps improves mental performance and helps produce new cells in in the hippocampus, the brain's memory center.
© iStock
20 / 30 Fotos
Lowers chances of UTIs - There are some positives however. Abstaining from sex reduces the chance of developing urinary tract infections because sex pushes bacteria into the tract.
© iStock
21 / 30 Fotos
Weakened vaginal walls - Women 50 and older risk not feeling any pleasure during sex if they don't have intercourse regularly.
© iStock
22 / 30 Fotos
Causes weight gain - Sex helps keep the hormones in check, which helps control weight.
© iStock
23 / 30 Fotos
Disrupts your exercise routine - Hormones released during sex help regulate motivation and also increase pain tolerance.
© iStock
24 / 30 Fotos
It might negatively affect your relationship - Sexual intimacy with a romantic partner improves communication and the overall health of the couple.
© iStock
25 / 30 Fotos
Extra benefits - Besides the negative effects of going without sex, a healthy sex life has some added bonuses that can improve your overall health and well-being. Here are some examples.
© iStock
26 / 30 Fotos
Lessens pain - Orgasms and vaginal stimulation can block chronic back and leg pain. Also many women have reported it reduces menstrual cramps, arthritic pain, and even headaches.
© iStock
27 / 30 Fotos
Counts as exercise - Though it won’t replace the treadmill, sex bumps up your heart rate and uses various muscles. However it doesn’t burn very many calories (only five per minute).
© iStock
28 / 30 Fotos
Makes your periods better - Having sex during a woman's period helps alleviate menstrual cramps.
© iStock
29 / 30 Fotos
This is what happens to your body when you don't have sex
Despite being generally satisfied with their sex lives, Americans sometimes lack sex
© iStock
The vast majority of Americans are satisfied with their sex lives, according to the Consumer Reports National Research Center. The study states that 79% of the sexually active respondents say they are generally satisfied. However, there is some disconnect. For example, opinions regarding sex differ enormously between men and women, which can lead to bumpy relationships and a lack of sex. How do our bodies respond to this lack of sex? Click through the gallery to find out!
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